Astronomy Afternoons

Explore the science of spectroscopy at Texas Science & Natural History Museum in its special exhibit "Big Eye on Dark Skies" featuring a scale model of the Hobby-Eberly Telescope (HET).

During a series of "Astronomy Afternoons" this summer, see a live, hands-on demonstration and experience the hidden rainbow of light that illuminates the composition of elements in distant stars and galaxies! Included with museum admission.

Plan your visit: https://sciencemuseum.utexas.edu/

About the HET:

Located at the McDonald Observatory in West Texas, the 80-ton Hobby-Eberly Telescope boasts a 10-meter mirror composed of 91 hexagonal segments, making it a powerhouse for astronomical research. Designed for spectroscopy, the HET deciphers light from stars and galaxies, aiding in the search for exoplanets, and studying distant galaxies and black holes. By capturing light from millions of galaxies, the telescope helps scientists understand the universe’s expansion and the role of dark energy over time.